10 Movies To Prove That NTR's Legacy Is Unmatched

Words aren't enough to describe the legacy that NTR managed to leave behind in a 302-film-long career of his. Though we know it's tough to be choosy about the films where his performances stood out, here we do our best to highlight his body of work that showcases his eclectic sides as a performer. What better than his 91'st birth anniversary to do so !! So, here we go !!

1. Pelli Chesi Chudu (1952)

After a decent debut with Mana Desam, NTR made his presence felt in a social satire like Pelli Chesi Chudu that went on to run for 175 days at the box office.The film gets to see a delightful mix of NTR's subtlety and comic touches which however weren't a regular post his newfound stardom later. Bearing an assured stamp of Vijaya Pictures and LV Prasad's storytelling repertoire, the movie was simultaneously made in Tamil and had a release in Hindi as Shaadi Ke Baad many years later.

2. Missamma (1955)

Another pick from the Vijaya banner, Missamma arrived at the time when NTR and ANR were slowly cementing their status in the industry. However, post Malliswari, NTR needed a film that could ride on his own shoulders. This one did just that. Hilariously portraying the unemployability in the post-independence era and showcasing to what extent can ideals go for a toss if it were to ensure you a proper living, Missamma was also an adept example of how blissful romance is when it's underplayed. NTR wins his on-scren love and the heart of the spectator by an equal measure here.

3. Maaya Bazaar (1957)

No conversation surrounding Telugu cinema's legacy is complete if that doesn't involve a discussion about Maaya Bazaar. NTR by then made it a habit to reserve his best for portrayals of godly figures.Being a fine balance of mythology and fiction, Maaya Bazaar ensured each of the iconic characters had an equal degree of significance. A multi-starrer in the truest sense with the presence of ANR, SVR, Savithri, Chaya Devi,Gummadi and Surya Kantham in the cast, NTR played a god here and we genuinely believed him to be so.

4. Gundamma Katha (1962)

We can't help but label this NTR starrer that's the fourth Vijaya film in a row and the third one with ANR in this list and we guess you know why. A regional and a celluloidal interpretation of the Shakespeare written play, The Taming of the Shrew and a Kannada film, Gundamma Katha has NTR explore his arrogant dimensions. Having a contrasting companion in the form of Savithri helps our cause to trust the equation of this on-screen couple. His encounters with Surya Kantham, Ramana Reddy and Chaya Devi are best remembered for their wonderful comic quotient and contribute to the film's tag of being the best family entertainers ever made in the history of Telugu cinema.

5. Raktha Sambandham (1962)

Earlier offered to ANR who rejected it from his lap considering the fame that his pairing with Savithri had then, Raktha Sambandham reached NTR's hands and from there till date, you only see history. A tale about overtly possessive siblings who fall apart in a turbulent turn of events, the film's essential strength was the emotional strings between NTR and Savithri. The tragic ending meant that the characters ultimatley had a great shelf life. The film had Sivaji Ganesan reprising NTR's role in the Tamil version Pasa Malar which had Savithri's casting as his sister untouched.

6. Narthanasala (1963)

Besides the fact that, it comes from a formidable mythological storyteller like Kamalakara Kameswar Rao, Narthanasala proved that being a commercial star is no barrier for NTR to don a female avatar sans stereotypes. Playing Brihannala, the masked version of Arjuna in King Uttara's court, he was able to defy that a male protagonist needn't border on the lines of vulgarity when he is in disguise.The film, also featuring Savithri and SVR went on to win the National Award for the respective year also finding a place in CNN-IBN's list of 100 Best Indian Films Ever Made.

7. Badi Panthulu (1972)

A gutsy film considering the larger-than-life acts he was conventionally popular for, during the times, NTR's Badi Panthulu wasn't any close to being an escapist's delight. Playing the role of a teacher, he had able company in the form of Anjali Devi. The movie's purpose was to highlight the indifference of off-springs during the latter ages of parents and how heart-breaking is it for the elders to tolerate it with all the emotional bondage invovled. It also showcases how blood relations needn't necessarily be a saviour during a crisis.Badi Panthulu's true-to-life scenario was its biggest strength which ensured it the following across several age-groups.

8. Nippu Lanti Manishi (1974)

The 70's was a phase where being over-the-top was generally considered alright, thanks to the Bollywood-bound influences. NTR equally relished this period where he reprised Amitabh's ever-famous angry young man act in Zanjeer through Nippulanti Manishi. Having had his loyalists witness many facets of the actor in him till then, this was NTR's way of reinventing himself according to the times and he didn't quite disappoint after all. S P Balasubramanyam was his new voice in pacy numbers in place of Ghantasala. Although he wasn't the fittest to be the fiery cop, he substituted it with his on-screen charisma. The movie shall be in a viewer's memory for the song Snehamera Jeevitham which still remains a hit with the playlists on Freindship Day.

9.Daana Veera Sura Karna (1977)

Marking a comeback to what basically was his forte amid his desperate attempts to fit into the changing scene, NTR literally sinked his teeth into the triple role of Krishna, Duryodhana and Karna. In spite of the film being an extended version of Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam, the venture scripted, directed and produced by the legendary actor still remains in the history books for it's miniscule shooting span of 43 days, a feat tough to outsmart in times where we brag about technical advancements every other day. Krishna in an attempt to match the senior actor's show gave the same mythological episodes his own spin in the form of Kurukshetram which had a release in the same time. As record-breaking as Daana Veera Sura Karna's outcome was, Kurukshetram couldn't survive the storm. NTR was back to home-ground and how !!

10. Yamagola (1977)

Completely understanding the balance a storyteller needs to maintain between being humourous and utterly foolish, there came Yama Gola where NTR in a dream of his lands up in hell and overshadows Yama and Chatragupta leading to the very closure of the sin-punishing hub. Though the pair of NTR and Jayaprada wasn't exactly that one expected to witness in a celluloid, Yama Gola was instrumental in weaving a new genre out of which Yamudiki Mogudu, Yama Leela and the recent Daruvu were born.NTR had a blast with his moves, trying to match his female counterpart with every step. The film once again explored the funny bones of the actor where the wacky landing episodes of Yama and his disciple on earth were in a league of their own.